The winning candidate needs more than 40 percent of the votes cast June 9 to avoid a run-off election. The winner will replace the late Curt Menard until the October election.

As attorney general Colberg filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven of nine state workers challenging legislative subpoenas in the Troopergate probe. The employees later testified after a judge rejected the lawsuit. In February, the Legislature found the governor's husband, Todd Palin, and nine state workers in contempt for ignoring the subpoenas.